There’s no question that kitchen flooring needs to be practical and hardwearing but there’s no reason why it can’t be eye-catching, attractive and bang on trend, too.

Sometimes, the surface we choose to fit beneath our feet becomes an afterthought in kitchen design yet it can be one of the more costly elements of a scheme so it pays to do your research and choose a material, colour, finish and texture that you’ll love for years to come. Here are some of my favourite new designs…

FIRED EARTH

As well as keeping up with the trend for using geometric pattern in the home, Fired Earth’s Arabesque ceramic floor tiles come in seven different colours, so you can mix and match to create your own unique pattern. I think a combination of Draa (blue), Imini (grey) and Sebou (green) would look great in the kitchen. The 12cm x 20.5cm tiles cost £119.85 per sq m and don’t require sealing, so they are particularly easy to install and maintain.

Create a Moroccan-style effect with Fired Earth’s Arabesque ceramics, www.firedearth.com

Alternatively, check out these Reclaimed Terracotta Hexagons, also from Fired Earth. Priced £129.60 per sq m, their rich colour variation is very much part of their appeal and makes them perfect for both classic and contemporary settings.

Get the geometric look with Reclaimed Terracotta Hexagon tiles, www.firedearth.com

FLOORS OF STONE

A great company, who has just launched its own range of innovative wood-effect floors made from porcelain. Imported from Italy, this heavily riven and textured surface is juxtaposed with gentler earthy grey and beige tones to produce a natural look with heavy knot and grain detailing.

Vintage Oak porcelain is characterised by its use of gentle taupe undertones, www.floorsofstone.com

Reclaimed Oak porcelain looks and feels like wood but has all the benefits of a manmade floor, www.floorsofstone.com

JUNCKERS

For solid wood specialist Junckers, parquet style continues to be a popular choice for consumers, particularly in herringbone or chevron patterns. Other emerging trends for kitchens include textured timber, grey and pale floors to create a feeling of light and space as well as ultra dark floors for contrast against neutral cabinetry.

Driftwood Grey Oak has a brushed finish in UltraMatt lacquer to give the appearance of a ‘worn’ floor with an aged patina. It’s priced £93.50 per sq m, www.junckers.co.uk

Solid Black Oak wide board, £119 per sq m, www.junckers.co.uk

Single Stave Blocks parquet floor in Solid Oak, £56 per sq m, www.junckers.co.uk

THE STONE & CERAMIC WAREHOUSE

According to the experts at this vast tile emporium, one ongoing trend is to create a continuous flow from indoors to out, with porcelain coming out on top for its practically indestructible nature. For smaller, darker kitchens, they recommend light-coloured porcelain with a large format tile to achieve the illusion of space. Check out their Driftwood & Westmorland tiles with wood effect as well as the Maximo range, ideal for family kitchens with its R10 anti slip rating.

Artist Palette porcelain wood-effect tiles, from £90 per sq m, www.sacw.co.uk

URBANE LIVING

For something completely different, how about a durable Cork Click System? As well as being incredibly eco-friendly, cork is easy to install and, with a hardwearing factory applied finish, is perfect for kitchen use as it’s easy to clean, warm underfoot and comes in a wide range of textures and colours. It’s also a good thermal and sound insulator, making it quiet and comfortable to walk on.

Cork Flooring in Originals Dawn always regains its shape, no matter how much it is walked on or how long furniture is in place, £34.16 per sq m, www.urbaneliving.co.uk

Marmoleum is another firm favourite at Urbane Living and they are all for creating quirky patterns with bright, bold colours. This natural material is made from renewable sources and comes with inherent anti-static properties to repel dirt and dust, making it ideal for allergy sufferers.

Marmoleum Click tiles in Barbados, Birch and Silvershadow, £63.35 per sq m, www.urbaneliving.co.uk

CA’PIETRA

Natural stone is ideal for the kitchen as it’s hardwearing and looks better with age – any fossils, fissures, cracks and fault lines will contribute to its character, giving you something truly unique.

Shepton flagstones have a worn finish and cost £52 per sq m, www.capietra.com

ARTISANS OF DEVIZES

I also love the stone selection from Artisans of Devizes.

Roche Marron stone in a Satino finish, from £114 per sq m, www.artisansofdevizes.com

PIAZZA TILES

According to Abbas Youssefi, co-founder of Piazza Tiles, it’s definitely wood-effect porcelain that’s currently stealing the show. “The standard size is now a large format 15cm x 120cm plank,” he explains, “and we have seen customers using larger tiles in smaller rooms to help create an illusion of space. Arborea gives you an original floorboard look while Elegante Deco Nut creates a more grand appearance.”

Arborea Maple wood-effect tiles, £45 per sq m, www.piazzatiles.com